LOCAL MOVIE STAR: Scituate mom gets big part in major motion picture - In about the time it takes to become a mother, Erica McDermott went from her Scituate stage debut in a comedy about motherhood to a major role in a movie alongside stars Amy Adams, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. By Jody Feinberg.

MEL GIBSON: Mel Gibson returns to acting in new action flick - There have been a couple of cameos in recent years, but Gibson hasn’t starred in a film since “Signs” in 2002. “It was just time to act again,” he said. “If the tarnish is on it and the glow goes off it, you walk away for a while, and when it’s time to come back, you come back.” By Ed Symkus.

ICE SKATING: Skate back to the 1830s at Old Sturbridge Village - Visitors to Old Sturbridge Village can now relive the simple -- and safe -- joys of ice skating outdoors in a picturesque 19th-century setting. By Chris Bergeron.

SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH: Travel: Family-friendly fun at Smugglers' Notch - Smugglers' Notch resort in Vermont offers skiing on three mountains and lots of other fun activities on and off the snow for all ages and abilities. By Nancy Olesin.

DR. MURRAY FEINGOLD: Statistics tell an interesting medical tale – The latest vital statistics, which are for the year 2007, were recently released and they reveal some interesting findings. There was a 2 percent increase from the previous year in the percentage of babies born by Caesarean delivery. Overall, 32 percent of all babies were delivered by C-section. This is certainly a growing trend.

DARIN ST. GEORGE: Where's your head at? -- What is fitness, anyway? "Run like someone's chasing you, lift like something fell on you and eat like someone else," I repeatedly say. There must be some element that makes it more difficult than that, though, or everyone would be buff and I would work for NASA (my fall-back career choice). Oh, right: It is people's emotional and intellectual capabilities that ultimately lead to success.

SENIOR SAVVY: Working with a geriatric professional -- Can you explain the role of a geriatric care manager and when I need to hire one? My mother is 90 years old and she is forgetful but managing at home. What services can a geriatric care manager provide to me?

EDITORIAL: Challenging the power of the speaker - House insurgents are moving beyond the legal fees spent on the Sal DiMasi case to a broader critique of the system. "When all power is put in the hands of one person, it corrupts that process and opens the door to abuse," eight members wrote in a letter to their colleagues last week. "A Speaker now determines everything in the Massachusetts House." By MetroWest Daily News.

SOCCER SHOP CHARITY: WeGotSoccer teams up with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - Michael O’Connor, president of Foxborough-based WeGotSoccer, has found the solution that works for his business. After experiencing rapid growth, moving from a small facility in Raynham to a 70,000-square-foot building on Rte. 1 last year, and balancing the books during a rocky economic cycle, O’Connor’s company, which sells soccer equipment and apparel, has devised a winning game plan. It will focus its philanthropy solely on one charity, Weston-based Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. By Alison O’Leary Murray.

DOG TRACK: Raynham to explore development possibilities near dog track - A study is being commissioned to evaluate what kind of industrial, retail or office development the market would best support for the 215-acre area if the rail line connecting Boston to Fall River and New Bedford is built, and what development would be most appropriate if the train does not come through. By Erik Potter.

FINE PRINT: Make sure roof is snowstorm-ready after warm weather - With warmer temperatures expected to interrupt the typical chilly January weather, this is as good a time as any to make sure your building's roof is ready for the next big snowstorm. By The Patriot Ledger.

CHECKOUT LANE: Don’t let broken computer break your spirit - Sometimes people think that a repair can cost more than to actually replace the computer but often it is actually something simple to fix that is wrong with it. By Lana Lagomarsini.

- Localize it: Talk to a computer expert in your town to get quotes, info.

MASS. MARKET: Unions’ efforts fell short in U.S. Senate race - All the unions’ letters, signs and phone calls couldn’t overcome the GOP’s national political machine and a frustrated electorate. By Jon Chesto.

DELAHUNT: Republicans line up to challenge Delahunt - Republicans have painted a bull’s-eye on U.S. Rep. William Delahunt. At least five people are considering a run for the 10th Congressional District seat he has held since 1997. By Nancy Reardon.

PENSION: Lucrative perk remains for those fired from state jobs - Although Gov. Deval Patrick and legislative leaders call a pension reform bill passed last year a major step toward restoring public trust in government, they left in place a questionable pension perk that has allowed hundreds of public employees who are fired or whose positions are eliminated to begin collecting lucrative state "termination pensions'' while still in their 40s and early 50s. By Michael Jonas.

STUDENT BMI: State requires schools to measure students’ body mass index - A regulation adopted by the state Public Health Council in April requires schools to calculate the body mass index, or BMI, of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 and report the numbers to parents and the state. By Kaitlin Keane.

RANDY JUIUS OUTDOORS COLUMN: It's a great season for ice fishing - Ice fishermen haven’t been complaining about the cold weather, and neither are bait-and-tackle shop owners, who say business has been great.